Bolt action operated alarm system and switches therefor



May 18, 1954 KQPPL 2,679,039

BOLT ACTION OPERATED ALARM SYSTEM AND SWITCHES THEREFOR Filed NOV. 15,1950 V 3 Sheets-Sheet l all :50 3 oll n fl ol i Ill 1 Z9 H634. H55, 24FIGJ. FIGJI.

A T TORNE K May 18, 1954 KOPPL 2,679,039

BOLT ACTION OPERATED ALARM SYSTEM AND SWITCHES THEREFOR Filed Nov. 13,1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I x 51) 7 es 043] 64 J E 54 l\ |i h 0 :6 57 0 V o59 5s FIGJ3. FIG. I5.

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IN V EN TOR. A DOL F KOPPL.

A TTORNEK May 18, 1954 A. KOPPL 2,679,039

BOLT ACTION OPERATED ALARM SYSTEM AND SWITCHES THEREFOR Filed Nov. 13,1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 101 104 FIG.27. U

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J FIG.ZO. FIGZZ. Fl6.2$. INVENTOR ADO/.F KOPPL.

ATTORNE 3- Patented May 18, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOLT ACTIONOPERATED ALARM SYSTEM AND SWITCHES THEREFOR Adolf Koppl, New York, N. Y.Application November 13, 1950, Serial No. 195,384

3 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to alarm systems, and particularly to analarm system and switches therefor to be installed on or associated withthe frames of entrance doors, windows, drawers and the like, andoperated by the bolt action of locks associated therewith.

An object of the present invention is to provide an alarm system andswitches therefor which operate to sound or otherwise give an alarm orindication when the door or other closure with which it is associated isclosed but not locked.

According to one aspect of the invention another object resides in theprovision of an alarm system for a space having a closure which includesa first normally open switch positioned and constructed to be closedwhen the associated closure is closed, and a second normally closedswitch connected in series with the first switch and positioned andconstructed to be opened by the bolt of the look when the latter ismanipulated to its locked position so that an alarm circuit in which thefirst and second switches are interposed will be completed only when theclosure is closed and its lock is not in locked condition.

According to another aspect of the invention another object of thepresent invention is to provide an alarm system of the characterindicated wherein the required switches are constructed and arranged tobe embodied in a single assembly for easy installation in the frame ofthe door, or other closure, for example the drawer or" a filing cabinetor the like.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, it is anobject to provide a single switch constructed to be normally open, to beclosed when the associated closure is closed and to be opened when thelock on such closure is manipulated to locked position.

A further object is to provide an alarm system of the characterindicated wherein the required switches are constructed so as to be sustantially tamper-proof.

A still further object is to provide an alarm system of the describedcharacter and operating as set forth, wherein. the required switches aresimple and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install and positive intheir operation.

The above objects. as well as other and further objects, featuresadvantages of the present invention will be manifest in the followingdetailed description of preferred embodiments thereof when read inconnection with the azccmpanying drawings which form a part here- 0:.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a wiring diagram of an alarm system embodying the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a door frame and a door, which is shownajar, and illustrating the manner in which the switches of the alarmsystem are arranged on the frame for operation by the door and the boltof the lock thereof;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of a switch utilized in the alarmsystem according to one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the switch shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of the switch shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a top elevational view of the switch shown. in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the switch shown in Fig. 3, butlooking at such switch from the side opposed to that shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of another switch attached to thestrike plate of a look as used in connection with the switch of Figs.3-7 in one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the switch shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a rear elevational view of the switch shown in Fig. 8, withthe switch being illustrated in its position when the door lock is openor disengaged;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, but showing the condition of theswitch when the door lock is closed or engaged;

Fig. 12 is an inside elevational View of a combined switch device asmounted on the strike plate of a lock and constructed accordingto'another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the combined switch of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a front elevational view of the combined switch of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14, but with the combined switch shownin its condition when the associated door is closed and the lock thereofis disengaged;

Fig. 16 is an outside elevational view of the combined switch of Fig.12;

Fig. 17 is a rear elevational view of the combined switch of Fig. 12,with the associated door open;

Fig. 18 is a view similar to that of Fig. 17 but with the parts thereofin the positions assumed when the associated door is closed and the boltof its lock is engaged;

Fig. 19 is a front elevational view similar to or that of Fig. 14, butwith the foremost insulating plate removed. to show the details ofconstruction of one of the switches of the combined assembly;

Fig. 20 is a front elevational view of a switch device as mounted on thestrike plate of a loci; and constructed according; to still another enbodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 21 is a top plan view of the switch device of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a side elevational view of the outer side of the switchdevice of Fig. 20;

Fig. 23 is a rear elevational View of the switch device of Fig. 20;

Fig. 24 is a side elevational view of the inner side of the switchdevice of Fig. 20

Fig. 25 is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 24, but with theswitch device shown in the position assumed when the closure with whichit is associated is closed;

Fig. 26 is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 25, but with theswitch device shown in the position'assumed when bolt of the lock on theasso ciated closure enters the related opening of the strike plate; and

Fig. 2? is a detail side elevation, on an enlarged scale, showing theconstruction of the contacts of the switch device in the position ofFig. 26.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to Figs. 1-11thereof, an alarm system, and the switches forming parts thereofaccording to one embodiment of the invention are there illus" trated asassociated with an entrance door. However, it is to be understood thatthe various devices hereinafter described are equally useful inconnection with any closure, for example, windows, filing or othercabinets and the like, having a bolt action type look. The system whichis diagrammatically shown in Fig. 1 includes a nor mally open switch l cand a normally closed switch H which are connected in series along withan alarm light 52 and an alarm buzzer it. Power is supplied. to thisseries circuit by one of the windings of a transformer M, while theother winding of the transformer may be energized by connection thereofto an available source of electricity through the plug 15. The normallyopen switch I8 is constructed and arranged, as will hereinafter bespecifically set forth, so that it is closed by the door, with which thealarm system is associated, when such door is closed and will be openwhen the door is ajar as in Fig. 2. The normally closed switch H isconstructed and ar ranged, in manner to be specifically set forth, sothat the switch is unaffected by the opening or closing of the door, andso that the switch is only opened when the loci: is manipulated to itslocked position for projecting the bolt thereof through the associatedstrike plate. Thus, it can be seen that the circuit shown in Fig. 1 willbe completed or closed only when both switches id and H aresimultaneously closed, that is, when the door is closed and the lockthereon is in engaged or locked position. A three-way switch S ispreferably interposed in the conductor connecting the switch it to thesignal light it, and includes the contact terminals a, b and c. Theterminal a is connected to one side of the switch 19, the terminal I) isconnected by a conductor 9 to the circuit at the other side of theswitch it, and the terminal is insulated and constitutes an off positionfor the circuit. Thus, when the throw of switch 8 is moved to engage thecontact I) (Fig. 1), the switch it is by-passed and the alarm deviceswill be continuously energized 1111- til the lock or the associatedclosure is manipu- Eli lated to closed position to open the switch If.When the throw of switch S is moved to engage the contact a thereof,then both of switches iil i i are in the circuit and the operationthereof is as set forth above. Finally, when the throw of switch S ismoved onto the insulated post or contact 0, the circuit is permanentlyopen and the alarms remain deenergized without regard to the actuationof the switches iii and I 1.

Referring specifically to Figs. 3-3, the details of construction of theswitch. it are there shown. Switch 1 c includes a plate 1 having arearwardly opening cutout I! (Fig. 4) formed therein and a right angledflange is extending along its forward edge. An insulating plate l9,formed of Bakelite or any other similar material, is secured as byrivets to the plate It at the side of the latter opposite tothedirection in which flange 18 extends. A first terminal post 28 extendsfrom the insulating plate it adjacent the forward edge of the latter andis formed with a through bore within which plunger if is slidablycarried. A head 22 is formed on the forward end of plunger and a coilspring 23 is interposed between head 22 and terminal post 28 for urgingthe plunger forwardly. A cross-pin 554 is fixed to the plunger 2! inback. of post 29 and limits the forward movement of th plunger. Amovable contact member 25 is slidable on the rear portion of plunger 2l, which is upset at its rear end to prevent removal of the contactmember therefrom, and a coil spring 26 (Figs. 6 and '7) is interposedbetween cross-pin 2d and contact member 25 to constantly urge the latteragainst the upset rear end of the plunger. A fixed contact member 2'! isformed by a metallic strip extending from the insulating plate in backof the movable contact 25 and into the path. of travel of the latter.The fixed contact 2? is formed with a suitably shaped and positionedopening 28 through which the upset rear end of plunger 2! may project,so that, when the plunger is moved rearwardly, the movable contact 25first contacts the fixed contact 2?, and the plunger may continue suchrearward movement after the contacts have been engaged without bendingor otherwise damaging the structure. Terminal screws 29 and 3%) (Figs. 4and 6) extend from the insulating plate IS with in the cutout I l andare electrically connected to the terminal post 20 and the fixed contact21.

The switch it is shown mounted on a door jamb ii! (Fig. 2) with the head22 of the plunger extending forwardly and into the path of travel of theedge portion of the door 32. When the door 32 is open, the spring 23maintains the movable contact 25 spaced from the fixed contact 21, but,when the door is closed, the plunger is moved rearwardly to efiect theclosing of the switch.

Referring now to Figs. 8-11, the details of construction of the switch Hare there illus trated with such switch being mounted upon a strikeplate 33 of a bolt action type look assem bly. The switch ii includes aplate 34 flange at the front and secured to the strike plate 33 at oneside edge of the opening 35 formed in the latter to receive the bolt ofthe lock. An insulating plate 36 is secured to the plate 34 and anopening 3? is formed in the latter (Figs. 10 and 11) in the area of suchinsulating plate. A post 38 extends from insulating plate 36 through.opening 31 and is formed with a through bore within which a plunger 38is slidable. A head is formed on the end of plunger 39 facing the boltreceiving opening 35 while a movable contact member 4| is fixed on'theother end of the plunger. A fixed contact 42 extends from the insulatingplate 35 and through the opening 31 to a position ahead and in the pathof travel of the movable contact 4 I. A spring 43 (Figs. 10 and 11) isinterposed between the post 38 and the head 40 to constantly urge theplunger toward the bolt receiving opening 35 so that the movable contact4| engages the fixed contact 42 (Fig. 10).

When the door 32 is closed and the lock thereon is manipulated toproject the bolt 44 through the opening 35 of the strike plate, suchbolt 44 engages the head 40 of the plunger and pushes the latter beforeit to separate the contacts 4| and 42 and thus open the switch ll.Terminals 4'5 and 46 are provided on the insulated plate 34 andelectrically connected to the post 38 and fixed contact 42,respectively, so that suitable conducting wires may be attached forconnecting the switch in series with the switch I and with the signallight l2, warning or alarm buzzer l3 and power transformer l4.

From the above it can be seen that the switch II is normally closedwhile the switch I is normally open, and that closing of the door 32effects closing of the switch I0 to actuate the various alarms orsignals, which alarms can only be inactivated by locking the door sothat the bolt 44 effects the opening of switch Referring now to Figs.12-19, a device 41 is shown constructed according to another embodimentof the present invention, and wherein the two switches utilized in thealarm system illustrated diagramatically in Fig. 1 are incorporated intoa single unitary structure. vice 41 includes a mounting plate 48 flangedalong its outer edge and secured to a strike plate 49 along one sideedge of an opening 56 formed in the latter to receive the bolt of a lockcarried by the associated door. A plunger or bolt 5| is slidably carriedby the plate 48 adjacent the top edge of the latter and at the sidethereof remote from the opening 50. The bolt 5| is bevelled at one endfor projection through an opening 52 (Fig. 12) formed in strike plate49, and is formed with a longitudinal slot 53 (Figs. 14 and receiving apin 54 extending from plate 48 for mounting the bolt on the mountingplate. A shaft 55 carried at its opposite ends by the bolt 5| andextending along the slot 53 and slidably through the pin 54 carries aspring 56 between the pin and the end of the slot adjacent the bevelledend of the bolt so that the latter is continuously urged to a projectingposition (Fig. 14) The shaft 55 is formed with a threaded enlargedportion engaging against the post 54 to limit the pro ecting movement ofthe bolt 5| The threaded portion of shaft 55 threadedly engages in theend portion of bolt 5| so that the projecting position of the latter maybe adjusted by rotation of the shaft. The end of the bolt 5| remote fromthe bevel supports a bracket 51 on which a switch actuator 58 isadjustably mounted. An insulating head 59 is fixed on the end ofactuator 58 to operate the switch which is best seen in Fig. 19 andcorresponds to the switch H] of the first described embodiment. Thisswitch is mounted between inner and outer spaced insulating plates 5!)and 6|, respectively, supported by the mounting plate 48 below the bolt5|, and '7 includes a post 62 extending from the outer plate 6| andformed with a through bore slidably receiving a plunger 63 in axialalignment with the actuator 58. A movable contact member 64 is fixed tothe end of plunger 63 remote from the The deiii) actuator for engagementwith a fixed contact member 65 also extending from the outer insulatingplate 6| and into the path of travel of the movable contact. A spring 56interposed between the post 62 and the headed end of plunger 63 adjacentthe actuator constantly urges the plunger in the direction for bringingthe movable and fixed contacts 64 and 65 into engagement. However, thespring 56 in the bolt 5| is stronger than the spring 63 and urges thehead 59 of the actuator against the plunger 63 for moving the latter inthe direction separating the contacts 54 and 65. Thus, the contacts 64and 65 will be normally separated, however, when the associated door isclosed the side edge thereof will ride against the bevelled end of theplunger 5| to move the latter (Fig. 15) so that the actuator 58 isspaced from the plunger 63 and spring 66 is free to engage the movablecontact 54 with the fixed contact 65.

The other switch in the device 4?, corresponding to the switch I of thefirst described embodiment, includes a fixed contact 61 (Fig. 18)carried by the inner insulating plate 5i! and extending through anopening formed in the mounting plate 48. A conducting carrier 69 for amovable contact extends from insulating plate next to the fixed contact51 and slidably carries a movable contact 10, in the form of a plungerwhich is urged away from the fixed contact 61 by a spring ll. Theplunger 1|! is actuated by an arm '52 pivoted at its upper end on a pin13 carried by the plate 48 and adjustably supporting an operating rod 14at its lower or free end by a screw Ma. A head 15 is fixed on the rod 14for engagement by the bolt of the lock carried by the associated doorwhen such bolt is projected into the opening 50 of the strike plate. Aspring 16 is connected at its opposite ends to plate 43 and to arm 12for constantly urging the latter in the direction for moving the head 15towards the strike plate 59. An insulating strip i2 is secured to theedge of arm 12 facing the plunger HI and when the arm 12 is in theposition of Fig. 17 (when the lock is unlocked) strip T! engages theplunger it! to move it into contact with the fixed contact 6?. Sincespring 16 is substantially stronger than spring ll, the latter isnormally restrained from acting and the contacts Til and 5! are normallyengaged. Thus, the second switch is normally closed and is only openedwhen the bolt of the lock enters the strike plate and engages the head15 for displacing the arm 12. As seen in Fig. 19, the fixed contact 6!and the conducting post 63 for the movable contact llil extend throughthe insulating plate 50 into the space between the plates Bil and 6|.

At the outer surface of insulating plate 5|, conducting strips l6 and T!are provided (Figs. 14 and 15) and are electrically connected to thefixed contact and to the posts 52 and 65, respectively. Terminals l8 and15 extend from the strips and TE, respectively, and a third terminal 89is connected electrically to the fixed contact t! so that the twoswitches are permanently connected in series and be interposed in theseries circuit constituting the remainder of the alarm system byattaching suitable conductors to the terminals '23 and 85.

Referring now to Figs. 20-27 of the drawings, a switch device 82 isthere shown constructed according to still another embodiment of thepresent invention and for use in association with a closure, forexample, an entrance door, a cabinet or filing drawer, a window and thelike, having a bolt action type lock assembly. The contacts of theswitch device 32 are constructed and arto be normally open, to be closedwhen the associated closure is closed, and to be again opened by thebolt of the lock assembly when the latter is manipulated to a lockedposition, and the single switch device 32 thereby may replace the twoswitches of each of the previously described embodiments and ispreferably con nected in series with suitable alarm or signallingdevices and a manually controlled on-off switch.

The switch device 82 is shown mounted on the strike-plate $3 of a boltaction type lock assembly and includes a mounting plate (it formed witha flange along its forward edge for attachment to the strike plate atone side of an opening 85 formed in the latter to receive the bolt ofthe lock assembly. A carriage 86 (Fig. 24) is slidable on the inner faceof the plate 34 above a guide 3'! and inclu...es a right angularly bentprojection t8 (Fig. 20) at its forward end formed with a rectangularopening. 1%. pin 89 extends from the carriage lit? to enter slot tilformed longitua fixed abutment as at the outer side of plate 84 and apin 9% extending from the carriage through a longitudinal slot Q6 formedin plate t l. lhus, the carriage 8t bolt ti, which is bevelled,extending beyond the strike plate and into the path of travel of theassociated closure.

The contact assembly of the switch device 82, best seen in 27, issupported by a contact supporting plate 9! extending upwardly from themounting plate 84. The top edge of plate 9! is anged to overlie the pathof travel of the car riage 3t and terminal screws 98 and 99 aresupported on such flange and insulated from the latter. A guide blocklilo is supported on the plate 5? and is formed with a vertical boreslidably receiving a plunger l 9! which is formed with heads itsopposite ends. A resilient contact strip it? is cantilevered on theterminal screw 98 and at its free end overlies the upper end of theplunger ml, which upper end is provided with an insulated tip Hi3. Whenthe plunger i! is moved upwardly (Fig. 25) the free end of contact stripM32 is displaced into contact with the other contact screw 99 to therebyclose the switch. A cantilever spring ltd, carried by the block llll),engages the plunger It! and continuously urges the latter downwardly toa switch open position.

In order to actuate the plunger llli, an actuating block I is carried bythe bolt 9i at its top surface and is formed with bevelled edges so thatblock Hi5 may ride smoothly under plunger EU! as the bolt 9! andcarriage 86 are displaced in response to engagement by the closure andthe bolt of the latters lock assembly.

The operation of the switch device of Figs. -27 is as follows:

When the associated closure is open (Fig. 24), the bolt Si is extendedthrough the strike plate 83 and the actuating block 165 is disposedahead of the plunger i5! so that the latter may drop under the influenceof spring IM to separate iii) 595 into the opening of the strike plate,the

bolt I06 pushes the carriage 85 before it and the actuating block N15 ismoved to the rear of the plunger [0! so that the latter may return toits lowered position for separating the contact strip I02 from theterminal screw 99.

- Thus, the switch device 32, when installed in an electric circuit inseries with alarm devices, will eflfect the energization of the latteronly when the associated closure is closed and the lock thereof is inunlocked condition thereby achieving the same results and objectives asare accomplished with the double switches of the previously describedembodiments.

While I have described and illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited tothese precise embodiments, as obviously many changes and modificationsmay be elfected therein without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a warning system for premises including a closure having a boltaction type lock assembly and electrically energized alarm means; saidsystem comprising a normally open switch mounted to be closed by theclosure when the latter is closed, a normally closed switch mounted tobe opened by the bolt of the lock assembly when the latter ismanipulated to locked position, a source of electric power, andconducting means electrically connecting said normally closed switch,said normally open switch with said alarm means in series and acrosssaid source so that said alarm means is energized only when the closureis closed and the lock assembly is unlocked and a selectively actuableswitch connected in parallel with said normally open switch to energizesaid alarm means regardless of the position of said closure when saidlock assembly is unlocked and said selectively actuable switch isclosed.

2. In a warning system a closure fitting within a frame and having abolt action type lock assembly and electrically energized alarm means; aswitch means carried by said frame; said switch means including aslidable bolt normally spring urged into the path of travel of saidclosure and being positioned to register with the bolt of said lockassembly when said closure is in closed position within said frame, afixed contact, a movable contact normally spaced from said fixedcontact,

tacts of said switch means with said alarm means in series and acrosssaid source so that said alarm means are energized only when saidclosure is closed and said lock assembly is in unlocked condition.

3. The combination according to claim 2, wherein said operating meansincludes a movable plunger extending at right angles to the direction ofmovement of said slidable bolt, spring means constantly urging saidplunger into the path of travel of said slidable bolt, an insulating tipon said plunger engageable with said movable contact, and an actuatingmember on said slidable bolt engaging said plunger when said slidablebolt is displaced by said closure moving to its closed position tothereby move said plunger against the force of said spring means forengaging said movable contact against said fixed contact.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 429,817 Shubert June 10, 1890 528,589 Brownell et a1 Nov. 6,1894 742,073 Schubert Oct. 20, 1903 1,169,649 Kafader et a1 Jan. 25,1916 1,170,032 Williams Feb. 1, 1916 1,674,570 Re June 19, 19282,103,363 Hansen Dec. 28, 1937 2,286,463 Chaskin June 16, 1942

